Following Entry Posted 11/16/2008 08:05:00 PM

To Save A Planet

Meet a family that is devoted to saving the planet. Sara and Matt Janssen gave up a 1,600-square-foot home for a small apartment, then they moved into a recreational vehicle powered by vegetable oil.

They scavenged the oil from fast-food and mom-and-pop restaurants willing to give away "an increasingly valuable commodity."

The fueling process itself takes about an hour, Sara Janssen said, adding that the couple invested in an on-board oil filtration system, which strains the "batter and chicken chunks" before the oil reaches the engine. [...]

Having traded up to their 1998 Western Alpine Coach in September, they figure that they have traveled about 20,000 miles in all and resorted to diesel fuel just once, outside of Austin, Texas.

"It was our fault," Janssen said. "We didn't start looking early enough."

She estimates that they saved about $25,000 using the kitchen grease instead of conventional fuel.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but to save $25,000 on fuel while traveling 20,000 miles doesn't make sense. Reportedly, their RV gets eight miles per gallon of fuel. That means 2,500 gallons were used for 20,000 miles. $25,000 divided by 2,500 gallons equals $10 savings per gallon of vegetable oil used.

With diesel running below $3 a gallon, how do the Janssens save $10 a gallon by replacing it with vegetable oil? Maybe they used some type of global warming math. It doesn't make sense to me.

Despite the math, the Janssens and the many others who are devoted to saving the planet should be recognized for their extreme life choices. They're progressing toward giving up all the benefits of civilization and the modern world for the sake of the planet. I'd argue that their efforts will have zero impact on the Earth but it's the thought that counts.

Given their efforts thus far, eschewing a real home for a vehicle powered by fuel gathered via the energy equivalent of dumpster diving, it's logical to assume that their next step will be to sell the RV and get a tent or maybe a cave. After all, the RV burns fuel which negates having a zero carbon footprint.

In any event, the Janssens could be considered part of the homelessness problem in the U.S. and they did it intentionally. A future goal would seemingly be to move into a homeless encampment.

Since there are others just like the Janssens, unconvinced that owning a Prius is enough to properly worship Earth Mother Gaia, the entire movement should be given a name. Unfortunately, I'm drawing a blank. The "Intentionally Homeless and Living in an RV to Save the Planet Crowd" is way too long.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.
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